Saugus Baseball Sachems defeat Winthrop to qualify for the postseason

The Saugus High School baseball team headed into a scheduled May 24 game against Winthrop at World Series Park with its whole season on the line.

It was win and in. Or lose and go home, and the Saugus boys are in, after beating Winthrop, 2-1 in front of the home fans on Senior Day. The Sachems are going to the Division 3 North state tournament. Pairings will be announced later next week.

Saugus was 7-12 going into the Winthrop game. Its 2-3 against Division 3 and Division 4 schools, and needs to finish 4-3 against them in order to end up at .500 or above in order to make the postseason.

The Sachems had a chance to clinch Tuesday against Division 3 Swampscott, but the Big Blue escaped with an 11-7 win.

Saugus had eight hits, including home runs by Nick Dascoli and Steve Pettenati in the heartbreaking comeback attempt.

Freshman Christian Correia pitched 4.1 innings of great relief after coming in for starter Jimmy Alcott.

"We definitely battled back," coach Joe Luis said of the team’s effort against Swampscott. "It was 10-0, and then we scored seven. We had two home runs, which was nice. Swampscott hit the ball well with 12 hits. It’s now do or die for us. All season, we’ve been just trying to get momentum."

Saugus has proved to be streaky. It won five in a row at one point. It was 2-7 before that run.

It also shown flashes of pitching, defense and hitting brilliance, so it was just a matter of putting it together more consistently.

As he talked to the Saugus Advertiser on the eve of the season finale, Luis said he wanted the team to put it altogether for that game.

The pitching especially has been lights out at times. But the defense hasn’t been the most consistent.

"We just need them to get comfortable playing in the field," Luis said. "Play relaxed. It’s just a matter of executing. We have to play (Wednesday game) like it’s opening day."

Justin Horvarth was scheduled to pitch the all-important game against Winthrop.

"We just need a couple of guys to pick up the team, and carry them," Luis said.

Mike Mabee, a junior captain and second baseman, played regularly this season, and was consistent. Alcott, the team’s senior captain, was a contributor all over the field.

"The season’s not over," Luis said on Tuesday night. "Hopefully, we can extend it." Dascoli has been a great offensive leader. He leads the team in average at over .400, and Alcott is around .350.

Dascoli has hit the ball consistently. "He’s been our most consistent all year long," Luis said. "He got his second home run of the year for us against Swampscott (Tuesday)."

Pettenati is also one of the leading hitters on the team, who has particularly stepped up as of late, according to the coach.

"We just have to get some momentum," Luis said. "Bring our gloves and we’ll be all set."

Luis said playing in the NEC has been great for the team, because they have shown terrific improvement against good competition.

"Every team is consistently good in this conference," Luis said. "They go out there, and play. There is no easy win out. Everyone’s consistent. Every single team plays good defense and has good pitching. And that’s what we’re working at everyday to be consistent. We have made considerable strides in the outfield since the beginning of the year. Haven’t seen too many great pitchers in the league, but they’ve been consistent. They throw strikes, and don’t walk many people. They like to mix it up. And that’s all you need to do. Mix it up and throw strikes, and let the defense make the plays behind you."